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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city...

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city will get a ‘Hindu Marathi’ person to head India’s richest civic body, while the Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena also harbour fond hopes of a miracle that could ensure their own person for the post. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) optimism stems from expectations of possible political permutations-combinations that could develop with a realignment of forces as the Supreme Court is hearing the cases involving the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party this week. Catapulted as the largest single party, the BJP hopes to install a first ever party-man as Mayor, but that may not create history. Way back in 1982-1983, a BJP leader Dr. Prabhakar Pai had served in the top post in Mumbai (then Bombay). Incidentally, Dr. Pai hailed from Udupi district of Karnataka, and his appointment came barely a couple of years after the BJP was formed (1980), capping a distinguished career as a city father, said experts. Originally a Congressman, Dr. Pai later shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party, then back to Congress briefly, founded the Janata Seva Sangh before immersing himself in social activities. Second Administrator The 2026 Mayoral elections have evoked huge interest not only among Mumbaikars but across the country as it comes after nearly four years since the BMC was governed by an Administrator. This was only the second time in the BMC history that an Administrator was named after April 1984-May 1985. On both occasions, there were election-related issues, the first time the elections got delayed for certain reasons and the second time the polling was put off owing to Ward delimitations and OBC quotas as the matter was pending in the courts. From 1931 till 2022, Mumbai has been lorded over by 76 Mayors, men and women, hailing from various regions, backgrounds, castes and communities. They included Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, even a Jew, etc., truly reflecting the cosmopolitan personality of the coastal city and India’s financial powerhouse. In 1931-1932, the Mayor was a Parsi, J. B. Boman Behram, and others from his community followed like Khurshed Framji Nariman (after whom Nariman Point is named), E. A. Bandukwala, Minoo Masani, B. N. Karanjia and other bigwigs. There were Muslims like Hoosenally Rahimtoola, Sultan M. Chinoy, the legendary Yusuf Meherally, Dr. A. U. Memon and others. The Christian community got a fair share of Mayors with Joseph A. D’Souza – who was Member of Constituent Assembly representing Bombay Province for writing-approving the Constitution of India, M. U. Mascarenhas, P. A. Dias, Simon C. Fernandes, J. Leon D’Souza, et al. A Jew Elijah Moses (1937-1938) and a Sikh M. H. Bedi (1983-1984), served as Mayors, but post-1985, for the past 40 years, nobody from any minority community occupied the august post. During the silver jubilee year of the post, Sulochana M. Modi became the first woman Mayor of Mumbai (1956), and later with tweaks in the rules, many women ruled in this post – Nirmala Samant-Prabhavalkar (1994-1995), Vishakha Raut (997-1998), Dr. Shubha Raul (March 2007-Nov. 2009), Shraddha Jadhav (Dec. 2009-March 2012), Snehal Ambedkar (Sep. 2014-March 2017). The last incumbent (before the Administrator) was a government nurse, Kishori Pednekar (Nov. 2019-March 2022) - who earned the sobriquet of ‘Florence Nightingale’ of Mumbai - as she flitted around in her full white uniform at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, earning the admiration of the citizens. Mumbai Mayor – high-profile post The Mumbai Mayor’s post is considered a crucial step in the political ladder and many went on to become MLAs, MPs, state-central ministers, a Lok Sabha Speaker, Chief Ministers and union ministers. The formidable S. K. Patil was Mayor (1949-1952) and later served in the union cabinets of PMs Jawaharlal Nehru, Lah Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi; Dahyabhai V. Patel (1954-1955) was the son of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; Manohar Joshi (1976-1977) became the CM of Maharashtra, later union minister and Speaker of Lok Sabha; Chhagan Bhujbal (1985-1986 – 1990-1991) became a Deputy CM.

Estranged Thackeray cousins flaunt olive branches

Mumbai: Maharashtra politics suddenly went into a tizzy as the alienated Thackeray cousins waved olive branches at each other, signaling readiness to hug, kiss and thaw off their chilled relations by puffing away the pipe of peace after exactly 20 years.

 

Though the cousins – on the warpath since 2005 – have indicated they are not averse to joining hands, there have been murmurs of disapproval from some quarters.

 

As the issue turned serious, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut, MP, hurriedly spoke with the media today where he addressed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray as ‘Raj-Saheb’.

 

“Both are Thackerays and both are (cousin) brothers. That relation is permanent. They may have had some political differences, so they went on independent paths… We are looking at it from a positive perspective. But, we shall adopt a wait-and-watch attitude,” said Raut, carefully choosing his words.

 

He pointed out how the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to erase the ‘Thackeray name’ from Maharashtra politics, so the people of the state will welcome if the cousins patch up as they work for the interests of the state.

 

The SS (UBT) leader said his party would welcome those who feel that the “enemies of Maharashtra are our common enemies”, but cautioned that if their words and deeds are different, “we shall not give them a chance.”

 

Referring to the past few decades, Raut said that the (undivided) Shiv Sena had a 25-year long alliance with BJP which Raj had witnessed from close quarters, and in the recent years, “they merely used him for their politics”.

 

However, when attempts were made to break up his party, Uddhav decided to step aside and decided not to ally with those who benefitted the ‘enemies of the state’ – ostensibly taking a swipe at Shiv Sena led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

 

Uddhav has said repeatedly that there are ‘some powers’ which want to derail the state, and the SS (UBT) will never support such elements at any cost, as the party quickly posted a photo of Uddhav-Raj shaking hands on its official X handle.

 

“The (undivided) SS was founded by the late Hindu HridaySamrat Balasaheb Thackeray for the Maharashtrians… We belong to that same ideology and we are keeping an open mind now…” declared Raut.

 

He said that the differences (with BJP) started when it “gave shelter to the enemy of Balasaheb Thackeray”, but now if the two Thackeray cousins come together then it will be as per public sentiments.

 

Raj-Speak

In a much-debated interview with MNS President Raj Thackeray, 56, Marathi film director Mahesh Manjrekar posed a pointed question whether the warring cousins would ever come together.

 

Responding cautiously but positively, Raj said that the cousins may have their bitterness on issues, “but they proved dear for the people of the state and their existence”.

 

“I do not feel that coming together or remaining together is so very difficult… The question is of desire… not my willingness alone or for my selfish purposes… We must look at the larger picture. I feel that the Marathi people from all parties must unite and form a single political party,” said Raj.

 

Later he even expressed willingness to accept whatever conditions his cousin may impose, though some in the MNS seemed to be skeptical of the unfolding developments.

 

Uddhav-Speak

Ex-Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, 64, apparently softened his stance at cousin Raj and voiced readiness to lay down arms.

 

“There were no differences between us… But still I am prepared to put aside minor squabbles in the overall interests of the people of the state,” declared Uddhav at a Bharatiya Kamgar Sena (BKS) event today (Saturday, April 19).

 

Referring to Raj’s ding-dong politics vis-à-vis the BJP in the past nearly two decades, Uddhav laid down one condition that the (proposed) alliance may not work if they (MNS) “first support, then oppose, later compromise” with divisive forces.

 

“I shall have nothing to do with such people, neither meet nor greet them, or visit them ever… The stand should be clear - whether to come with me, or go with BJP or ‘gaddar-sena’ (Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde). First, take a vow in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and then I am ready to clap back,” declared Uddhav, amid cheers and applause.

 

He reiterated that he was inclined to bury the hatchet over petty issues for the benefit of the Marathi people - significantly ahead of the upcoming civic elections in the state.

 

Thackerays’ ‘mama’ thrilled

As the feuding Thackeray cousins - Uddhav and Raj - dropped broad hints of becoming cosy, their maternal uncle Chandrakant Vaidya, known as Chandumama,  expressed joy over the turn of events, saying “it’s the wish of the people of Maharashtra”.

 

Vaidya remarked that the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray would have been very happy on hearing this.

 

“I am really very happy and satisfied as their uncle, but I cannot comment on their political issues,” said Vaidya who had made several efforts for a rapprochement in the past.

 

He said the blessings of God and the ‘Marathi manoos’ are with the Thackeray cousins and it would lead to good things in future.

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